West Indies 447 for six dec and 21 for 0 (Brathwaite 11*, Chanderpaul 10*) lead Zimbabwe 379 for 9 dec (Ballance 137*, Kaia 67, Mavuta 53, Joseph 3-75) by 89 runs
Ballance, who performed 23 Tests for England and scored 4 centuries beforehand, was the rock that held Zimbabwe’s innings collectively after their strong opening stand on the third day. He was largely untroubled, hitting 12 fours and two sixes in his 231-ball innings, as he placed on important partnerships with the lower-order batters, after initially shedding companions in fast succession.
At this level, Zimbabwe nonetheless wanted 56 runs to keep away from the follow-on, with simply three wickets in hand. West Indies, with the second new ball due after one other 15 balls, had their tails up.
But Ballance and Mavuta walked out after lunch and dominated the second session. The two added 121 runs within the session to assist Zimbabwe get right into a place from the place it could be tough to lose the sport.
Mavuta, who recorded his maiden five-wicket haul within the Test, introduced up his half-century with a drive to sweeper cowl within the last session of the day. He was strong in defence after that, however didn’t take many dangers till a brief ball from Holder stayed low to clatter into his stumps.
Mavuta contributed 53 runs to the 135 that he added with Ballance for the eighth wicket.
Zimbabwe determined then that it was no use hanging about and took the aggressive route. Victor Nyauchi hit a first-ball 4 by way of covers and thrashed one other cowl drive and a reduce by way of level earlier than top-edging a pull to Joshua Da Silva off Holder.
Ballance additionally introduced out the slog-sweep with extra regularity, and was even dropped at deep midwicket, whereas Richard Ngarava, Zimbabwe’s No. 11, hit a few beautiful lofted straight drives – for a 4 and a six.
Zimbabwe had been nonetheless trailing by 68 once they declared, giving the bowlers 13 overs within the day to have a go at West Indies’ high order.
Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com